Worry over ‘sinister surveillance’ of Elf on the Shelf toys

Do you think the Elf on a Shelf is 'sinister'?

VideoThe popular Christmas toy Elf on the Shelf risks “normalising a surveillance culture” in children, according to two WA academics.

The popular Christmas toy Elf on the Shelf risks “normalising a surveillance culture” in children, according to two WA academics.

Murdoch University social media expert Catherine Archer and Curtin University internet studies associate professor Tama Leaver will discuss the phenomenon at the Digitising Early Childhood conference in Perth today.

Elf on the Shelf involves a toy scout elf named by the children that “reports back” to Father Christmas on whether those children have been “naughty or nice” and is found in a different location every morning.

Dr Leaver said that while the elves gave parents and teachers leverage in the lead-up to Christmas, they could also be viewed as a more sinister surveillance tool, making parents “complicit with the concept of spying”.

“It’s fun in that it extends that idea that ‘Santa is watching’ but in a darker sense it really does get kids used to this idea that toys are watching them,” he said.

Dr Leaver said the tradition could be a healthy part of the Christmas ritual but he encouraged parents to use it as a conversational tool to educate children about surveillance and online sharing.

“How do we prepare kids to be wary of our toys… it’s something we need to think more about as a society, moving away from magical and mythical to the reality,” he said.

“(Elf on the Shelf) is a way in for many families who can embrace the joy of the elf turning up but also use it as a vehicle, as a metaphor where kids can have conversations about other things... ‘it’s OK for Santa but what happens if a toy is reporting back to a company.’”

“Instead of normalising it, use it as, ‘it’s OK in this one instance, but let’s think about when it’s not OK.’”

Dr Leaver said while the Elf on the Shelf toys were inanimate, there was a growing trend towards internet-connected toys.

Childcare centres will be surveyed on their views

The West Australian

VideoChildcare centres will be surveyed on their views

Edith Cowan Unversity researchers are involved in a new project investigating the “internet of toys,” including how toys equipped with cameras, recorders and internet connections impact children’s privacy and safety.

ECU senior research fellow Dr Donell Holloway said the international project would examine both the risks and benefits.

“It’s the way forward, we don’t want to deprive children from interacting with them, as they can help them learn real world digital skills, new languages, coding and social skills,” she said.

But Dr Holloway said there was the potential for hacking or data-mining, particularly with interactive toys such as the Hello Barbie and My Friend Cayla dolls.